On the neck, horizontal lines known as necklace lines and vertical ridges, called
platysmal bands, may be treated with BOTOX®, and in some instances
with advanced dermal fillers. In this section, we will briefly discuss how
these may be treated.

Note: Before undergoing any procedure discussed on this web site, make sure
that your physician has extensive experience with the specific procedure.
Medical schools have only recently begun to teach some of these procedures.
As with any medical procedure there are varying degrees of risk involved.
Please consult your physician.

Necklace Lines

Exposure to the elements (photodamage), loss of collagen and elastin,
as well as laxity of the platysma neck muscle can contribute to formation of horizontal
wrinkles and lines, commonly called necklace lines. These lines may be treated
with BOTOX®, placed above and below the lines, at points 1 –
3 centimeters apart, along each line. Physicians will take care not to place
too much BOTOX® in the first treatment session, so as not to affect
a patient’s ability to swallow. It is common to have a patient come
in a couple weeks after treatment, in order to augment the treatment with a second
BOTOX® application.

While it may take a greater amount of BOTOX® to treat necklace lines
than most facial areas, the results may last longer than is typical with other cosmetic
BOTOX® treatments because of less muscle movement on the neck.
If a patient is diligent in returning for repeat treatments as soon as the effects
of the BOTOX® treatment subsides, over time, the etching of the lines
may be diminished or eliminated.

In addition to BOTOX®, some physicians may use a soft dermal filler,
such as Juvederm® or Restylane®, placed immediately
underneath each line.

Platysmal Bands

As we age, the platysma neck muscle may become more lax or more hypertrophic (enlarged).
When this happens, vertical ridges or bands may
become more pronounced when the muscle is contracted. BOTOX®
may be used to relax the platysma muscle and diminish the appearance of the bands.

During treatment, the physician will typically ask the patient to contract the neck
muscle and then place BOTOX® along the ridges of the muscle.
BOTOX® is usually placed 1 – 3 centimeters apart along each
band. Similar to the treatment of necklace lines, the physician will be careful
not to place too much BOTOX® in the first treatment, so as not to
affect a patient’s ability to swallow. The patient may return a couple
of weeks after the first treatment if more BOTOX® is needed.

*This web site is designed to educate individuals about dermal filler and
botulinum toxin procedure options being used by various physicians in the U.S. and abroad. The information is
not intended to be medical advice or endorsement of any particular product or
procedure. Consult your physician for medical advice. Companies who manufacture
FDA-approved dermal fillers and botulinum toxins typically do not seek FDA approval for use of products in all
facial areas or procedures. Other uses are known as off label. Both on-label and off-label uses are presented on this web site, and are widely used by plastic surgeons, dermatologists and other
physicians in the U.S. and abroad. The LFLA is an association
of experienced dermal filler medical practitioners and is not affiliated with
any medical device manufacturer.